Elastically expandable watchband



Sept. 27, 1966 G. G. HENSCHEL ELASTICALLY EXPANDABLE WATCHBAND 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 14 1963 actual, 75 L55 INVENTOR.

GEOKGE G. HEA/SCHEL A 7' TORNFYS Sept. 27, 1966 s. G. HENSCHEL.3,274,767

ELASTICALLY EXPANDABLE WATCHBAND Filed Aug. 14, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2United States Patent 3 274,767 ELASTICALLY EXPANDABLE WATCHBAND GeorgeG. Henschel, 226-69 Union Turnpike, Flushing, N.Y. Filed Aug. 14, 1963,Ser. No. 302,173 2 Claims. (Cl. 59-79) The present invention relates toelastically expandable watchbands and, more particularly, to link typeexpandable bands for Wristwatches and other instruments worn by the useron the wrist.

It is an object of the invention to provide a novel and improvedwatchband of the general kind above-referred to which can be readilyadapted to different sizes and types of Wristwatches and otherinstruments, thereby eliminating the need for maintaining a largeinventory of bands of different widths as is necessary with conventionalwatchbands as heretofore known.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedwatchband of the general type above-referred to, the links of which canbe rapidly and simply detached from each other for replacement ofdefective links and for removal or addition of links to make the bandnarrower or wider as the case may be. Such removal or addition of linksmay be effected without requiring specialized skill and withoutdeforming the links to be removed or added as heretofore necessary andoften resulting in permanent damage to the links.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedwatchband of the general kind abovereferred to which permits a widerexpansion of the band than Was heretofore possible.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedwatchband of the general kind above-referred to, the links of which,including the spring mechanism, constitute complete and self-containedunits which can be attached to or detached from other link units bysimple coupling and uncoupling operations respectively without the useof specialized tools for either operation.

A still further object of the invention, allied with the next precedingone, is to provide a novel and improved watchband of the general kindabove-referred to in which link units of different design, color, sizeor metal can be combined. Such combining or mixing of different linkunits affords the advantage that numerous ornamental effects can bereadily attained. For instance, by combining units of different widthsthe band may be tapered toward its mounting ends either for ornamentalreasons or for accommodating the band to the length of the mounting pinor loops on the watch.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a novel and improvedwatchband of the general kind above-referred to which is thinner for agiven size than was theretofore obtainable due to the small dimensionsof the coupling mechanism joining adjacent links.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedwatchband of the general type above-referred to, the links of which maybe formed with a rounded and smooth outer surface, thus reducing wearand tear on shirt cuffs and other garment parts due to frequent rubbingcontact with the band when worn on the wrist of the user.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedwatchband of the general type abovereferred to which can be simply andinexpensively manufactured and which is rugged in construction.

Other and further objects, features and advantages of the invention willbe pointed out hereinafter and set forth in the appended claimsconstituting part of the application.

-In the accompanying drawing several preferred embodiments of theinvention are shown by way of illustration and not by way of limitation.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary plan view upon a watchband according totheinvention attached to a wristwatch.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary exploded view of components of the watchband ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of FIG. 1, the band being shownin its contracted condition.

FIG. 4 is a lengthwise sectional view of FIG. 3, the band being shownfully expanded.

FIG. 5 is a section taken on line 55 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a section taken on line 66 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary plan view of a modification of the watchband,the same being shown attached to a wristwatch.

FIG. 8 is a perspective detail view of a coupling link for the watchbandaccording to FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a lengthwise sectional view of the band of FIG. 7 showing thesame in its expanded condition.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 9 but showing the band inits contracted condition.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary sectional plan view of another modification ofthe band according to the invention.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary plan view of a further modification of theband, the same being shown in its expanded condition, and

FIG. 13 is a plan view of the band according to FIG. 12 but showing thesame in its contracted condition.

The expandable bands according to the invention as exemplified in thefigures are shown as watchbands attached to a wristwatch which may be amans or ladys watch. However, it should be understood that theexpandable band, according to the invention, can also be used as a bandfor other devices or instruments worn by a wearer on the wrist, such asa pressure gauge as used by divers, etc. To simplify illustration, allthe band links are shown to be of equal size and configuration. However,the links may be of different sizes and configurations, either forornamental or utilitarian reasons. For instance, as previouslymentioned, the links may gradually decrease in transverse width toobtain a tapering effect. Different metals or different finishes andcolors may be used for the individual links. Some of the links may beornamented and others not.

Referring now to the FIGS. 1 through 6 in detail, the watchband shown inthese figures com-prises a plurality of band links 10 and .a pluralityof coupling links 11, one coupling link being provided between each twoadjacent band links. The term band link is applied to the links which inthe aggregate constitute the principal outer surface of the watchbandand determine primarily the appearance thereof. The coupling links serveprimarily the purpose of joining the band links together so as to permitan elastic expansion of the band, as will be more fully explainedhereinafter.

FIG. 2 shows one of the coupling links 11 and two band links 10a and 10badjacent thereto. Coupling link 11 is in the form of a generallyrectangular plate from which protrude on opposite sides an inner pair ofkeys or tongues 15a and 15b and an outer pair of keys or tongues 16a and16b. The tongues may be bent out of the material of link 11, or may besecured thereto in any suitable manner. They are shown as having agenerally T-shaped outline. Each of the band links includes in its sidefacing the coupling link an inner pair of guide tracks 17a and 17b andan outer pair of guide tracks 18a and 18b. The guide tracks are in theform of grooves within the body of the band links and terminate .at oneend in a widened T-shaped portion 17c, 17d and 18c, 18d respectively. Asit is shown in FIG. 2, the widened portions of guide tracks 17a, 18a and17b, 18b face in opposite directions for 3 a reason which will becomeapparent from the subsequent description. The T-shaped portions of thetongues can be inserted in the T-shaped portions of the guide tracks.and the webs of the tongues will then be retained in the narrowportions of the guide tracks which are undercut to accommodate the Tportions of the tongues. To assemble the links, tongues 15a and 15b ofcoupling link 11 are inserted in inner guide tracks 17a, 17b of link aand tongues 16a, 16b of link 11 are inserted in outer guide tracks 18a,18b (not visible in FIG. 2) of link 10b. The outer guide tracks 18a, 18bof link 10a would be engaged by another coupling link 11 which wouldoccupy a position somewhat to the left of link 10a.

As it is apparent from the previous description, each band link 10 canbe displaced in reference to the respective coupling link in a planeparallel to the plane of the coupling link.

FIG. 4 shows the positions of several coupling links and band links, inwhich the band links are outwardly displaced in reference to thecoupling links. The relative positions of the links as shown in FIG. 4represents the condition of maximum expansion of the watchband. FIG. 3shows the opposite or contracted position of the watchband in which allthe band links are moved toward each other into abutting orsubstantially abutting positions.

The band links may be solid bodies into which guide tracks 17 and 18 ofappropriate cross section are grooved or milled, but it is generallypreferable to provide 'band links in the form of hollow bodies 10c andsuch are shown. The guide tracks are then formed by fitting in thehollow body an appropriately bent retaining strip 20. The configurationof strip 20 can best be seen in FIG. 6. The strip may be secured in thehollow body of the band links 10 by any suitable means. The respectiveside wall of the band links includes appropriately located and shapedslots to provide the guide tracks described in connection with FIG. 2.

In order to bias the band links from the expanded position of FIG. 4into the contracted position of FIG. 3, a spring means is suitablyfitted in each of the four guide, tracks of each band link. These springmeans are shown in FIGS. 1 through 6 as coil springs 21 and 22. Thesprings are so inserted in each of the guide tracks that one end of eachspring abuts against the end of the track opposite to the T-shaped endthereof. The other end of each spring is engageable with the T-shapedportion of the respective tongue. As it is evident, pulling-apart of theband links in reference to each other and the respective coupling linkfrom the position of FIG. 3 toward the position of FIG. 4, or in otherwords, an expansion of the watchband will cause compression of all thesprings inserted in the four guide tracks of each band link. However,the springs in tracks 17a and 17b will be compressed in a directionopposite to that in which the springs in guide tracks 18a and 18b 'arecompressed. Accordingly, the oppositely biased springs will bias theband links toward each other and toward the respective coupling links,that is, the watchband will always tend to return from the expandedposition of FIG. 4 into the contracted position of FIG. 3.

The exemplifications of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 through 6 andother figures of the drawing provide two pairs of coacting tongues andguide tracks. However, it should be understood that it is within theconcept of the invention to couple each band link to a coupling link bya single key or tongue .and a single coacting guide track, or by morethan two coacting tongues and guide tracks. The number of coactingtongues and guide tracks depends, obviously, upon the manufacturingcosts and the actual size of the links. In this connection, it should bepointed out that all the figures in the drawing show the links of thewatchband on a greatly enlarged scale for the purpose of clarity of theillustration.

The three links shown in FIG. 2 constitute a link unit and the entirewatchband is composed of a plurality of such link units. As it isevident, link units may be added to or removed from the watchband bysimply inserting and withdrawing the respective tongues. All that isnecessary to effect assembly or disassembly is to place the band linksand coupling links against the action of the springs in positions inreference to each other in which the T portions of the tongues are inregistry with the T portions of the guide tracks. Each individual linkunit can be similarly assembled and disassembled. As it is evident, notools are necessary to effect assembly or disassembly and no part of theband links or the coupling links need to be bent or otherwise deformed.

As has been initially stated and as it is now evident, the band linksneed not have the same overall configurations. It is only necessary thatthe guide tracks in the band links are so disposed that they match therespective tongues of the coupling links. As a result the watchband canbe given the aforedescribed wide range of ornamental appearances andconfigurations. Furthermore, the last link at both ends of the watchbandmay be conveniently selected so that it will fit the mounting pin 25 ofthe watch 26 to which the band is to be attached.

A comparison of FIGS. 3 and 4 shows that the structure according to theinvention permits a very considerable expansion of the band due to thepossible displacement of each band link in reference to the respectivecoupling link.

In the event such very wide expansion of the band is not required, theconstruction of the band may be simplified and such simplified structureis shown in FIGS. 7 through 10. The structure of these figures isbasically the same as that shown in the previously described figures,that is, a coupling link 30 is interposed between each two adjacent bandlinks and 10b.

The arrangement of the band links is left unchanged from that previouslydescribed except that each band link is provided with two guide tracksonly. Each coupling link is provided with two pairs of generallyT-shaped keys or tongues 31a, 31b and 32a, 32b. The two pairs are againshown as an inner pair and an outer pair and this is generallyconvenient, but in this arragement the two tongues of the pairs couldalso be equally spaced. As it is clearly shown in FIG. 8, all fourtongues protrude from the same side of the coupling link. Tongues 31aand 31b are fitted into tracks 33 of band link 10a and tongues 32a and32b are fitted into tracks 34 of band link 10b, as previously described.Springs 21 and 22 are again inserted between tongues 31a and 32a and therespective end of the guide tracks in the band link so that all thesprings are compressed, though in opposite directions, when the bandlinks are pulled apart. As a result the springs will bias the band linksfrom the expanded position of FIG. 9 toward and into the contractedposition of FIG. 10.

Each coupling link and the two adjacent band links again constitute alink unit which may be attached to or removed from the band aspreviously described. The structure of FIGS. 7 through 10 also permits awide range of possible combinations of different band links or units.However, as can be readily ascertained from a comparison of FIGS. 3 and4 with FIGS. 9 and 10, the expansion aiforded by the band structureaccording to FIGS. 7 through 10 is about half of that of the bandaccording to FIGS. 1 through 6.

In both previously described modifications of the invention the springs21 and 22 operate as compression springs, but it is also possible toarrange the springs as tension springs. Such an arrangement is shown inFIG. 11. The principle of the band structure, as shown in FIG. 11, willbe evident from the previous description. It suffices to state thatsprings 21a and 22a instead of being compressed by the movement of thetongues 15, 16 and 31, 32 toward the other end of the tracks as thewatchband is expanded, are tensioned in opposite directions. To effectsuch tensioning one end 21b and 22b respectively of each spring issecured in a suitable manner to the inner wall of the respective bandlink 10. The other end of each spring is secured to the respectivetongue, for instance by looping the spring end over the T-shaped portionof the tongue. As it is apparent, sliding of the tongues in the trackstoward expansion of the band will then cause a corresponding tensioningof the springs. The springs are again so arranged that all the springswill be tensioned in opposite directions so that each two band linksassociated with a coupling link will be pulled toward each other.

In the previously described embodiments, compression or tension coilsprings are used to bias the links into the contracted condition of thewatchband. However, instead of such coil springs, fiat springs such asleaf springs may also be used and such structure is shown in FIGS. 12and 13.

The band links and the coupling links used in the structure of FIGS 12and 13 are the same as shown in detail in FIG. 2 and other figures.However, the coil springs are replaced by a pair of leaf springs 40 and41. Leaf spring 40 coacts with tongues 16a and 16b and coil spring 41coacts with tongues 15a and 15b of coupling member 11. The leaf springsare disposed within the hollow body of band links a and 10b and the endsof the springs engage the respective tongues to bias the links towardeach other. The two springs of each pair are joined by a cross bar orweb 42 so that a substantially H-shaped spring structure is formed.

FIG. 12 shows the two band links pulled apart and as a result the twosprings are substantially flattened. When the two band links arereleased the springs return into a strongly curved position which isshown in FIG. 13, thereby moving the two band links into the contractedposition and yieldably retaining the band links in such portion.

While the invention has been described in detail with respect to certainnow preferred examples and embodiments of the invention, it will beunderstood by those skilled in the art after understanding theinvention, that various changes and modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the spririt and scope of the invention, and

it is intended, therefore, to cover all such changes and modificationsin the appended claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A watchband comprising a plurality of upper and lower band linksdisposed in two spaced-apart superimposed parallel rows, said band linksbeing in the form of a hollow substantially rectangular block havingtransverse parallel slots in opposite side walls, a coupling linkinterposed between each adjacent upper band link and lower band link,retaining means fitted in the interior of each of said blocks to definetherein guide tracks in registry with said slots, each of said couplinglinks including a pair of guide tongues protruding from opposite sidesof the coupling link, each of said tongues engaging one of the guidetracks of the adjacent upper band link and lower band link,respectively, slidably displaceable along the tracks, and spring meansoppositely acting upon the two tongues of each coupling link for biasingthe respective band links in both rows and the respective coupling linktoward each other.

2. A watchband according to claim 1, wherein said spring means comprisecoil springs inserted adjacent to said slots, each of said coil springmeans engaging on one end the respective tongue and abutting on theother end against a wall of the respective block.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,927,044 9/ 1933Nelson 5979 2,557,292 6/ 1951 Ingleby 59-79 2,932,155 4/ 1960 Nabeshima59-79 3,138,917 6/1964 Kunzmann 59-79 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,007,536 5/ 1957Germany. 1,055,857 4/1959 Germany. 1,073,230 1/ 1960 Germany.

72,537 6/ 1916 Switzerland.

CHARLES W. LANHAM, Primary Examiner.

G. P. CROSBY, Assistant Examiner.

1. A WATCHBAND COMPRISING A PLUALITY OF UPPER AND LOWER BAND LINKSDISPOSED IN TWO SPACED-APART SUPERIMPOSED PARALLEL ROWS SAID BAND LINKSBEING IN THE FORM OF A HOLLOW SUBSTANTIALLY RECTANGULAR BLOCK HAVINGTRANSVERSE PARALLEL SLOTS IN OPPOSITE SIDE WALLS, A COUPLING LINKINTERPOSED BETWEEN EACH ADJACENT UPPER BAND LINK AND LOWER BAND LINK,RETAINING MEANS FITTED IN THE INTERIOR OF EACH OF SAID BLOCKS TO DEFINETHEREIN GUIDE TRACKS IN REGISTRY WITH SAID SLOTS, OF SAID COUPLING LINKSINCLUDING A PAIR OF GUIDE TONGUES PROTRUDING FROM OPPOSITE SIDES OF THECOUPLING LINK, EACH OF SAID TONGUES ENGAGING ONE OF THE GUIDE TRACKS OFTHE ADJACENT UPPER BANK LINK AND LOWER BAND LINK, RESPECTIVELY, SLIDABLYDISPLACEABLE ALONG THE TRACKS, AND SPRING MEANS OPPOSITELY ACTING UPONTHE TWO TONGUES OF EACH COUPLING LINK FOR BIASING THE RESPECTIVE BANDLINKS IN BOTH ROWS AND THE RESPECTIVE COUPLING LINK TOWARD EACH OTHER.